Saudi Arabia highlights AI, global cooperation in geospatial information management at UN meeting

New York witnessed a significant UN Committee of Experts meeting on geospatial information management, where Saudi Arabia took center stage. The Kingdom's General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information, led by President Mohammed Al-Sayel, advocated for international cooperation and the use of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. Al-Sayel stressed the importance of these tools in fostering sustainable development and creating an integrated global system for managing geospatial information.

During the deliberations, Saudi Arabia reviewed its progress in implementing the United Nations Integrated Geospatial Information Framework. The country addressed various sectors, including geospatial and statistical information integration, land management, marine and hydrographic data, the Global Geodetic Reference Frame, and the emerging role of digital twins.

Saudi Arabia also underscored the need to standardize geographical names, viewing this as a vital aspect of national and cultural identity, as well as supporting data sovereignty. The Kingdom shared its role in the Unified Geodetic Reference Framework for Arab States and introduced developments concerning the United Nations Geospatial Center of Excellence located in Riyadh.

The meeting concluded with an invitation to member states to participate in the Third United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC 2026), to be held in Jeddah from November 16 to 19.